I like the idea of going to your local school and finding a needy kid.

I think it's a good idea to approach the music teacher.
He/She may know of a needy child with musical talent that would truly benefit from owning their own instrument.
You may be opening a door for someone.

I'm always on the lookout for guitars I can get for cheap or free, maybe needing some work to make them playable, which I give to kids, and sometimes adults who can't afford them. The church I attend is home to a couple of different refugee congregations, one from Burma and one from the Congo. Most refugees are pretty penniless when they get to the US, and many are very musical. I've given several guitars through that connection. I would imagine that you have refugee communities in your area as well. Another possibility is community outreach centers. Many of them have after-school music programs for kids.

There lies your answer possibly. I put a classical guitar on Ebay about a year ago for not a lot of money. Turns out it was bought by a charity that sends instruments out to the Third world. I naturally let them have it for free.
Also here in UK there are schemes for donating instruments to schools. You should be able to find a good home for that guitar.

That's lovely Shadow 714 (OP). Can't let this go by as a Guitars 4 Vets instructor here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. If anyone reads this from my region and has a guitar to spare, I'll pick it up and put it in the hands of a deserving vet. We have our share of vets here trying to cope with their past rotations in Afganistan, Sudan, Iraq, etc. Every minute they learn and practice guitar is a minute that they can escape the monkey on their back.

I like the idea of going to your local school and finding a needy kid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I think it's a good idea to approach the music teacher.
He/She may know of a needy child with musical talent that would truly benefit from owning their own instrument.
You may be opening a door for someone.

That's what I was thinking ... some kid who shows promise but no way can get their hands on one to play at home ... or after school is over ... could make all the difference in a kid's life ...

That's lovely Shadow 714 (OP). Can't let this go by as a Guitars 4 Vets instructor here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. If anyone reads this from my region and has a guitar to spare, I'll pick it up and put it in the hands of a deserving vet. We have our share of vets here trying to cope with their past rotations in Afganistan, Sudan, Iraq, etc. Every minute they learn and practice guitar is a minute that they can escape the monkey on their back.

Forgive my ignorance if this has already been suggested / done ...

G4V sounds like an outstanding program that helps some very deserving folks.

Have any of the big guitar manufacturers (or their US distribution companies) been approached to provide instruments directly to the program?

Just thinking; donating a bunch of their B-stock wouldn't cost them that much, would be a tax write-off, fantastic public relations, and most importantly, provide fine instruments that would literally change people's lives for the better ...

Also, check with your local libraries. Many libraries now have musical instruments and other things (tools, sewing machines, whatever) that patrons can check out just like books. It's a good way for people to acquaint themselves with instruments, just give them a try and if it isn't a good fit, they return them and no harm done.

Have a Yamaha LL6 that does not get played and I would like to donate it to a needy student/vet etc. It is in great shape, just do not know how to get it into the right persons hands. Live near Middletown N.Y. and would travel a little if necessary. Just concerned it would not go "where it should" if you know what I mean. This seems like a ethical forum. Any advice would be welcome.

A nice gesture. By the way, I grew up in Monroe - played your Middies in high school football! Small world, hey?!

G4V sounds like an outstanding program that helps some very deserving folks.

Have any of the big guitar manufacturers (or their US distribution companies) been approached to provide instruments directly to the program?

Just thinking; donating a bunch of their B-stock wouldn't cost them that much, would be a tax write-off, fantastic public relations, and most importantly, provide fine instruments that would literally change people's lives for the better
...

Yes, they do get great support from manufacturers. At the very least they get new guitars at a very deep discount. I’ve been a G4Vets supporter since 2011 and have donated many guitars to their programs. Each graduate gets a new guitar, gig bag, etc. The donated guitars typically are “program” guitars which the vets use when learning. Once they graduate the “program” guitar stays with the local chapter for the next vet. I believe their current sponsors include Yamaha guitars, TKL gig bags and Levy straps. They also have a new music book published by Alfreds that all grads will get. By the way, all instructors are volunteers. Most chapters can always use strings. I typically order some when there is a good sale online and have them shipped to one of the chapters I support. [ATTACH]
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Why not organise some kind of contest based on how good some youngsters could play :
-1 mark on how good they play
-2 An other on how good their songs
-3 Another on how bad their guitars are (this must be kept secret)...

And the winner gets the best result...At least it would end up between the hands of someone who deserves it : this could be organized within some kind of appropriate event, at school or in a church maybe...